PAL — Nicotiana attenuata

Summary

A4A49_16794 (PAL3) on chromosome 8 of coyote tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata) encodes a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.24), an enzyme with ammonia-lyase activity that also exhibits DNA-binding transcription factor activity and protein dimerization activity. This gene is associated with floral scent production and herbivore defense response, as well as salicylic acid breakdown, L-phenylalanine breakdown, cinnamic acid anabolism, and regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism. It has been linked to cell wall thickening, lignin breakdown, drought recovery, response to UV-B and low humidity, guard cell fate commitment, and virus-induced PTGS. Associations include photosynthetic rate, respiration rate, UV light sensitivity, disease resistance, anthocyanin accumulation, salt stress tolerance, freezing tolerance, and resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to drought tolerance, heat tolerance, fruit shelf life, and pathogen resistance.